Professor Gary Crew commenced at USC in 1999 to introduce the emergent discipline of Creative Writing. Under his leadership, Gary subsequently developed this discipline into a Bachelor of Creative Writing, while also designing the accompanying Creative Writing Honours, Masters and PhD programs. As a result of his sustained commitment to teaching and research, Gary was awarded a 2006 Carrick Institute Citation – where he was commended for his leadership in the creation and ongoing development of the creative writing programs in a new regional university.

Across his academic and professional career, Professor Crew has secured external national and international recognition including winning the Children’s Book of the Year four times, New South Wales Premier’s Award, Victorian Premier’s Award, American’s Children’s Book of Distinction, Aurelias Award for Best Children's Short Fiction,  Ned Kelly Award for Young Adult Crime Fiction, the Wilderness Society's Award for Environmental Writing and the Royal Zoological Society Whitely Award.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the USC School of Creative Industries, Professor Gary Crew is a worthy recipient of the honorary award of Emeritus Professor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.